Elizabeth Smart Speaks

A publisher has bought Elizabeth Smart's story and it is currently being written by a ghostwriter who also happens to be a Congressman from Utah

. Talk about two different kinds of jobs. This will be the first hand story of Elizabeth Smart which she has never shared before in book form. It will describe everyday of the nine month ordeal she suffered at the hands of the homeless preacher who kidnapped her. The book is getting close to being finished and Elizabeth and the writer have been working on it for almost a year. Not sure how he managed to run for Congress and write a book at the same time. This will be the fourth book about her abduction, but the first, by her. One book was written by her parents.

I'd be interested to read this book. I think I remember hearing that Elizabeth's kidnapper had been hired to do work at their home prior to her abduction, and was familiar with the layout, and that her sister had some memories of Elizabeth being kidnapped from the bed that they shared, but was too frightened to speak up right away.

I didn't know her parents had also written a book. No disrespect meant, but I always found her dad a bit creepy.

I recall both her parents being creepy. Especially doing interviews right after she was returned home…if it were my daughter, the last thing I'd do is force her into the spotlight after such a horrendous experience.

They didn't force her into the spotlight, she may have been in the background during interviews, but she didn't give one. She did make an appearance as the signing of some sort of children's bill by the president, but has largely kept out of the public eye.

After everything she went through, I don't begrudge her wanting to make money off the experience. After all, it's her own future that she's securing. After having a chunk of her childhood stolen, now she'll have a chance to set up her adult life without worrying about money, and make it what she wants.

Gosh, I'm just not that hot to judge a girl who went through such a horrible experience. To me, she gets a pass if she wants to write a story. Maybe she feels that it'll be even more cleansing for her. I just choose to think the best of people in those situations.

But I hear she's pretty sound financially and doesn't really need the money.

I will never forget when Nancy Grace had her on not to talk about what happend (which is was part of her coming on) and Nancy just started pounding her with intimate questions making Elizabeth so uncomfortable and basically had to walk out of the interview after repeatdly asking Nancy to stop and saying that wasn't why she was on the show.

I will also love Nancy for keeping her boot on Casey Anthony's neck but that was the most douchebag thing Nancy had ever done to a victim.

I think for the victims its cathartic and shows you can go from victim to survivor and live your life after horror and tragedy. They aren't my cup of teas book wise but some people take inspiration from them.

I agree MISCH. This little girl went through hell for years after being kidnapped.Not sure why people are hating on her for this. I anything, it's an inspirational story.She's stronger than I would have been, that much is true.

I think we have all heard this story many times, seen movies about it. Seen it on the news. Maybe there will be more personal things in the book. Heard about this so much i dont really want to read this book. Happy she just got married and wish her luck though.

I feel bad for the man, Richard Ricci, who was falsely accused and then died in custody. He'd also done work at the house, and instead of payment was given the family's older car, which still had her DNA in it, which was then used as evidence against him. After refusing to confess, he was [allegedly] in a jail fight in which he was [allegedly] hit with a barbell or weight, and later died of a brain hemmorrage still in custody. He was considered the main suspect in her disappearance until she was found.

Some people just have an interest in True Crime and mysteries. I've read them all my life.

They are cautionary tales, as well as being interesting looks into what really bad people are like. If you read a couple dozen True Crime stories, you will definitely more aware of what's going on around you.

I'm glad Elizabeth Smart is going to write a book. She seems all right now, but it wouldn't hurt for her to have a nest egg in case she is unable to work in the future due to stress.

She's been paid for speaking engagements for a while now. I agree her parents are weird. Putting a child in the spotlight after she'd been kidnapped and repeatedly raped is beyond my comprehension. Did they not believe her?

Seriously Icecat? You think she was forced to live with two psychos who made her live in the woods and was raped repeatedly just as some joke or hoax? I will bring on the hate because you're an idiot! Her family never forced her into the spotlight nor yanked her out of therapy. Where do some of you come up with this stuff? She stayed out of the spotlight and only has ever done things to try and help other victims of sexual abuse. She's a very talented young woman who has decided to make as many positives of a bad situation that she can.

Icecap, Since you said you didn't read the discussion of comments before commenting, I'm going to assume that you also formed your opinions on this case in ignorance too. While some situations in our culture might indeed stem from conspiracies, this girl's ordeal was not one of them. And to an earlier comment about the Mormon occult, as an actively practicing Mormon, I can attest this religion is not an occult. We don't blindly follow our leader. Mormonism is a way of life in terms of striving to live by its principles daily, but these principles align with Christianity and family values, rather than fulfilling some outlandish, self-serving agenda of its leader.

The sad part is T Lex is right about the fact the media paid attention because of the way Smart looks. There's actually a name for it, Missing White Woman Syndrome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_white_woman_syndrome

I do believe Smart has an exceptional story (being found after so long) and it's a story worth telling; and the media coverage when she went missing was warranted*. However, I think it's terrible when the media won't cover similar stories because the victim isn't female, middle- to upper-class, and white.

* Warranted as in getting her name and face out there, but not with it becoming fodder for the 24/7 news machine. A lot of that time could be used to talk about others who are missing, instead of tuning in to watch the non-updates of one.

What is most interesting about this case to me is how she was brainwashed and afraid to seek help when opportunities were presented. Even when she was initially questioned by the police. It makes me wonder how many other missing children are alive, but afraid to ask for help.

I just hope she's gotten therapy. I think she was on Oprah or something close and no therapy had been given, no talking about what happened…etc.Her parents basically stuck their heads in the sand and said she would talk about it with them or God when/if she was ready.

I am just a lurker here, but I think it's worth noting that she is a member of the "Not 1 More Child" coalition for the National Association to Protect Children (NAPC and PROTECT). PROTECT is probably the most fearless organization out there fighting for and advocating for kids. I don't know if any of the proceeds of her book will go to that organization, but I know that she has given face time and then some to their very worthwhile efforts.

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